Best grain for elk?

[Dreamin_of_elk]

Sorry I know this has been posted before but I can't seem to find the thread. I've been out shooting my rifle that I'll be using for my elk hunt in October and I was curious to see if anyone has any recommendations on what try feel is the best grain for elk. I'm shooting a 7mm and have been using a 139 grain hornady shell, is this a good combination? Thank forth help I appreciate it!

 

[txhunter58]

Oats are the best grain for elk. Sorry, couldn't resist

With my 7 mm rem mag, I use a 160 gr Nosler partition. If the 139 gr is the largest bullet you can get for your gun (didn't specify which 7 mm you have), then you are probably good, but I try and use 150 gr as bare minimum for elk. My ideal bullet is a premium 160-165 gr.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)

 

[Wolverine]

LAST EDITED ON Sep-08-10 AT 07:33PM (MST)[p]If you don't know that you have no business Hunting Elk! 139 grain? You must be from back East or California!

 

[Dreamin_of_elk]

Ha ha back east or California? You must me one of those guys that never practices with his gun and can't hit an animal in the vitals so to compensate shoots a bullet that will blow an animal up. My grandpa used a 243 to kill elk for 20 years, it did just fine. I was just curious as to what people prefer and what they've seen work best.

 

[ADDICT]

There's a lot of unsolictited advice o this site! Everyone's an expert I would go to a good, 165 gain bullet for elk.

.243s have killed more elk than 7mms!

 

[Wolverine]

No, I'm just not an Idiot and know that when Elk Hunting it's important to use enough bullet! 165 is probably miniumum and I've killed a number of Elk with a 30/06 and 165 but prefer my .338 with a 225 which knocks them down quick! 139 you better make sure your shot is perfect, it's not a bullet that will deliver knock down power!

 

[two8E]

If you put that 139 grn in the right spot you will have no problems. I have used it in my .280, and some dork named Jack O'Conner used a .270 with only 130 grain bullets.

 

[Wolverine]

You could kill them with a 22 if the shot is perfect! Should everyone go out and try?

 

[TINEBROTHER]

Best grain? Use oats. Then your sling shot when they get close

 

[Wes]

I've only killed three elk myself. They were all shot with a 7 mm Rem mag but with different bullets. The first took a 160 gr Nosler Partition thru the shoulder at 40 yards. Dropped on the spot and never twitched, DRT. The second didn't like getting hit with a 160 gr Speer Spitzer at 100 yards, same result as the first, dead before it hit the ground. The third was shot at 560 yards with two Berger 168 VLD's. The first shot killed it but I hit it with another before it tipped over. I've guided hunters that have killed elk with little guns, big guns, and everything in between. Hit em right and they'll die. Hit wrong, even with a canon and you may never catch up with em.
Wes

 

[TDIESEL]

there is a bunch of wierd advice on this site Honestly if you want to shoot 139gr. bullets thats fine I know people that shoot nothing heavier than 130 and others nothing lighter than 200gr. if thats what your gun likes best thats what I would shoot. It will do fine just hit them in the boiler room and they will die. I've had quicker kills with 140's than 160's but thats my personal experience. every outdoors writer makes it sound like you can't even hunt unless you have an 416 or bigger but like mentioned 270's with 130's have probably killed more elk than any other gun.
7mm wsm 600yrd. and closer checkmate

 

[NMPaul]

You most likely already realize it, but, not a good question to post on MM.

I think your fine with your choice if it shoots well. If it makes you feel any better, I am sure you can find a 150 grain for a 7mm mag that shoots well.

Actually it is the east coast and west coast hunting forums that go on and on about bullet selection. Everyone has on opinion.
Just remember dead is dead.

 

[BIGJOHNT]

Depends what state you are hunting in ? You can't use grain at all to bait in you elk. Uncle Ted found that out the hard way in california.
He got fined for baiting there.
I would think you want the heaviest bullet you can shoot. But it also depends on what ranges you are talk about.

 

[flinger]

160 grain




www.PinetreeHunting.com

 

[JACO]

139 gr is just fine for 7mm. That is actually my favorite for my 7 mag, because it shoots a little flatter and a little faster.

All of you in the "bigger is better" crowd should do a little research on the ballistics of a round and compare. For example, compare the 139 gr with the 160 gr on this chart, and then you will realize that the 139 gr has higher velocity at all yardages, higher energy at all yardages, and a much flatter trajectory at all yardages.

So which bullet is a better choice for killing elk? If you ask me, I would have to say the 139 gr.

BTW, my grandpa also used a .243 to kill elk for decades, and it did the job just fine.

Nocked N Loaded

 

[Zeke]

One thing that some have failed to mention is bullet construction. The construction is as/more important than the grain weight of the bullet.
I've used the 139 Hornady in my 7mm Rem Mag with excellent results on deer but based on the weight and performance it is too fragile for a racking shot on an elk.

Use a better or bigger bullet for the big stuff.

I agree with those that say you can kill elk with small guns BUT only IF the conditions are ideal. The honest truth is that few shots are ideal and after a long hunt NO hunter will pass on a make-able shot despite the angle.

So...... why would you want to handicap yourself? Use enough bullet weigh and/or construction.

Zeke..... Opinions are only as valid as your experiences!

 

[muzz]

Your fine with 139, i shoot 140 grain accubonds out of my 280. It will kill them. Wolverie is just being a #####! Someone should put him down a few notches.

O--one
B--big
A--ass
M--mistake
A--america

 

[Zeke]

>Your fine with 139, i shoot
>140 grain accubonds out of
>my 280. It will kill
>them. Wolverie is just being
>a #####! Someone should put
>him down a few notches.
>
>
>O--one
>B--big
>A--ass
>M--mistake
>A--america
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
Muzz

You are right BUT the 140 accubond is a helluva lot better bullet, for elk, than the 139 Hornaday!!!

They might be abt the same weight but that's where the similarities end!

Go with Nosler partition, accubond, or Barnes X for elk. There are other great bullets. Pick a well constructed one over just weight.

Zeke

 

[Dreamin_of_elk]

Thanks to all for the advice, I appreciate it

 

[jodog]

I didn't realize there even was any other caliber besides a 243 until I was about 18 Many elk, deer, coyote ect. fell to that little rifle. Hit them in the motor within range and that 139 grain will kill it dead.

 

[bigmikea]

I think it is more important to shoot a bullet that has good retention than the actual size

 

[Bill_in_MI]

I'm worried that the 260 gr Accubond out of my .375H&H will not be enough on the WY elk I'll be chasing. The round sure shoots nice in my gun though.

Bill in MI

 

[txhunter58]

LAST EDITED ON Sep-13-10 AT 08:05AM (MST)[p]>139 gr is just fine for
>7mm. That is actually
>my favorite for my 7
>mag, because it shoots a
>little flatter and a little
>faster.
>
>All of you in the "bigger
>is better" crowd should do
>a little research on the
>ballistics of a round and
>compare. For example, compare
>the 139 gr with the
>160 gr on this chart,
>and then you will realize
>that the 139 gr has
>higher velocity at all yardages,
>higher energy at all yardages,
>and a much flatter trajectory
>at all yardages.
>
>So which bullet is a better
>choice for killing elk?
>If you ask me, I
>would have to say the
>139 gr.

That chart doesn't mean as much when you don't list the exact bullet you will be using. There are lots of pointed/boat-tailed bullets that look good on paper that I would never use on an elk.

And ft/lbs are a good starting point, but they are just a mathmatical formula that will generally give the better look on paper to faster bullets.

That said, a PREMIUM 139 gr bullet is an elk killer IF, as several have said, you put it in the boiler room. And sure, the 243 has taken plenty of elk, but not at 400 yards.

However, ft/lbs don't mean much when you hit a bone. I will take the 160 gr slower bullet EVERY time if I happen to hit a shoulder bone even though it has lower ft/lbs.

Flat is good too, but out to reasonable shooting distances for the majority of us (300-400 yards), the difference is not that big on an elk sized animal.


txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)